Minutes 2025

Minutes of September Special Meeting of Sligo County Council held at 10.00 am on Monday 22nd September, 2025 in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:  

  • Councillor Bree,
  • Councillor Clarke,
  • Councillor Gibbons,
  • Councillor Gilroy,
  • Councillor Healy,
  • Councillor Higgins,
  • Councillor E. McSharry
  • Councillor Mullaney,
  • Councillor Mulvey,
  • Councillor Nealon,
  • Councillor O’Boyle,
  • Councillor Queenan ®,
  • Councillor Taylor,
  • Councillor Walsh

® attended the meeting remotely

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Ms. Sinéad Flynn, Senior Executive Officer
  • Ms. Sinéad Branley, Meetings Administrator
  • Ms. Jo Anne McGonigle, Asst. Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Councillors Brennan, Casserly, Gallagher, and T. MacSharry.

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Dónal Gilroy presided and welcomed those present.

 

DECISION ON NOMINATION OF CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:

The Cathaoirleach stated that the purpose of the meeting was to determine whether Sligo County Council would put forward a nominee for the Presidential election, and if so, to decide on the individual.

He indicated that of the five individuals who had confirmed their attendance, only one was present this morning.  It had been intended to hear a presentation from each attendee in alphabetical order by surname, with each Speaker allocated five minutes for their presentation.  This was to be strictly adhered to.  Following the candidate's address, a short adjournment would take place. The Cathaoirleach affirmed that members were eager to hear the presentation.

The Meeting Administrator, Ms. Sinéad Branley, was then asked to provide an overview of the relevant legislation and timelines associated with the nomination process.

Ms. Branley advised the meeting that Sligo County Council may choose to make a nomination for the office of President.  The relevant legislation is the Presidential Elections Act, 1993 and the Presidential Election forms Regulations, 2018 (S.I. 329 of 2018).  The Presidential Election Order was made on the 3rd September, 2025 and Mr. Barry Ryan was appointed as the Presidential Returning Officer.  Receipt of nominations commenced at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, 5th September and would end at 12.00 noon on Wednesday, 24th September, 2025.

A candidate seeking local authority nomination requires the nomination of four City or County Councils.  A City or County Council may, by resolution, make one nomination per Council.  The nomination of a candidate is a Reserved function and is a matter for the Elected Members. 

To be eligible for election as President, candidates must be an Irish citizen who is 35 years or older.

Ms. Branley advised the meeting that candidates due to present at the meeting were deemed eligible by way of submission of copy of their identification credentials to Sligo County Council.

The Cathaoirleach then advised the meeting that, as had been set out in item one on the agenda, 19 candidates had initially sought the support of Sligo County Council.  All information provided by the candidates has been uploaded to the Councillors’ extranet for their consideration. 

The Cathaoirleach then invited Mr. Gearóid Duffy to make his presentation to the meeting.

After Mr. Duffy presented his reasons for pursuing the nomination, the Cathaoirleach once again expressed appreciation for his attendance, noting he was the sole participant to appear at the meeting. It was acknowledged that Mr. Duffy was facing significant time constraints due to his need to travel promptly to Meath County Council to pursue their nomination.

It was then

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor

AND AGREED

“That the meeting stand adjourned for five minutes.”

Upon resumption, the Cathaoirleach advised that, in accordance with agenda item 3, the next item for consideration was to determine whether Sligo County Council would nominate a candidate for the Presidential election. The matter was subsequently opened to the floor for discussion.

Councillor Clarke stated his intention to support the nomination of Mr. Gareth Sheridan. He noted that Mr. Sheridan had, at that point, secured nominations from two other Local Authorities. Councillor Clarke expressed concern that limiting the field to three candidates would not serve the public interest in fostering meaningful choice and debate. He further informed the meeting that the 'Independents Together' group had requested his assistance in facilitating Mr. Sheridan’s nomination.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Clarke and
Seconded by Councillor Joseph Queenan

“That Sligo County Council nominate Gareth Sheridan to be our nominee for the Presidential election.”

The Cathaoirleach informed the meeting that, based on the procedural notes agreed on 8th September and his clear recollection, Members had agreed to consider only those candidates who presented in person. He stated this was his firm understanding and sought confirmation from the other Members present.

Councillor Clarke noted that the minutes from the meeting at which the decision had been made were not yet adopted and therefore held no legal standing. He emphasised that the legislation governing the nomination of a Presidential candidate was clear. Entering into legal debate on the matter was not advisable, and he suggested that if Members wished to oppose his motion, voting it down would represent a more democratic course of action.

Ms. Flynn, S.E.O., informed the meeting that from the outset, it had been made explicitly clear that members had agreed that Sligo County Council’s selection process required candidates to present in person at the meeting on 22nd September. All candidates had been given that opportunity, and the Council had conducted proceedings accordingly. She cautioned that altering the criteria at this advanced stage would be unfair to those who had adhered to the original terms. On that basis, Ms. Flynn recommended that Members refrain from proceeding with the nomination.

For clarity, the Cathaoirleach asked Members whether they believed candidates who were not in attendance should be considered. The proposal was put forward and seconded by Councillors Clarke and Queenan; however, no other Councillor present expressed support for the motion.

The Cathaoirleach stated that, out of respect for Sligo County Council, any individual seeking a nomination should have attended the meeting in person. Accordingly, the Cathaoirleach ruled that the proposal could not be accepted.

As no candidate was nominated, Sligo County Council resolved not to proceed with a formal nomination for the Presidential election.

The Cathaoirleach extended his thanks once again to Mr. Duffy for his presentation and to the Members for their attendance.

 

END OF MEETING:

The business of the Meeting concluded at 10.35 a.m.


Meeting Date 22/09/2025